Our Christmas 2010

Our Christmas's started last Sunday when we had my dad and all my siblings over for dinner. It was our first time cooking a ham and it turned out great! It was so nice having everyone over here this year. 

Compared to last year we all look a bit different, especially Nolan! 

I didn't take any pictures on Christmas Eve but we always go to Andy's aunt and uncle's house. I got some really nice gifts-a North Face sweatshirt (seen below), some MAC eyeshadow and a Sephora gc. Andy got a Lowes gift card and a new Under Armour shirt. Then we went out to my aunt's house to enjoy some dessert and laughs. 

Christmas morning we always open up our gifts to each other. I spoiled Andy this year with a few clothes, softball stuff, and his favorite gift- a pair of Ugg slippers (Zappos has the best customer service btw)

 Andy also spoiled me this year. I got a gift card to go get fitted for some running shoes, some makeup, and he built me a mirror. But my favorite gift of all was the Tassimo coffee machine. I love this thing! (If you have one what are some good t-discs to buy?)

We then headed off to my mom's for our traditional Christmas breakfast. I won't bore you with all the picture but I do have to brag about one. My bff (aka my brothers gf) got me the gift I didn't think I would get since it has been sold out everywhere:

I LOVE this eyeshadow! I have been wearing all different colors since I got it!

I got all kinds of new clothes, the Giuliana book I've been wanting, a scarf, and workout gear. Andy got some new threads, and tools. 

We then headed off to our last stop, Andy's parents. Once again I got more makeup, a new dessert cookbook (I will have to blog some of the good ones!), and more running gear. Andy, again, got more tools! We always do a gift card game with the whole family. This year Andy got one for Home Depot, and I had one for Target but it was stolen from me so I ended up with one for Victoria's Secret. 

It is hard to believe Christmas has came and went but I am looking forward to New Years!

Merry Christmas!

From our home to yours we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Favorites

I thought since we are ten (!!) days out from Christmas I would post some of my favorite things! 

My favorite Christmas song, and just might be my ringtone, is Rockin Around the Christmas Tree. I can't  help but think of the Home Alone scene where he has the 'people' dancing around!

I love the snow as well. I mean if it is going to be cold FREEZING it needs to snow. Working in a school that is sorta, kinda in the 'country' we get pretty many snow days or delays. There is no better phone call at 5 am! We actually had a snow day on Monday and we have another storm moving in right now! My fingers are crossed for a white Christmas!

I'm also loving the Target commercial! I can remember waking up at 5 am (pretty much when my mom went to bed because she waited till Christmas eve to wrap-but we didn't know that) and running into the living room to see everything Santa brought us. The excitement isn't the same as an adult but I still do enjoy waking up Christmas morning. 

I also love going to Starbucks to get a nice hot caramel brulee latte. I may or may not have an addiction to Starbucks. Is it bad that I have a gold card?!

Another addiction I may or may not have is Bath and Body Works soaps. I have a supply that would last me for the next 10 years! I like to switch them up for the seasons! Right now we are washing our hands with Winter Candy Apple, my fav!

I also LOVE giving people gifts. It's the best feeling to give someone something that puts a smile on their face. A little gift can go along way. I have something up my sleeve that I think A will be surprised with. Last year I did that when I got him some nice sunglasses. I also have a few small gifts for some friends that might not be expecting anything, that is my favorite time to give someone a gift. I received a gift from a co-worker that was a surprise and I love it! She is so thoughtful!

What are your favorites? I'd love to hear them!

The Perfect Tree

Over the weekend we went to go get out Christmas tree. After stopping at four different places we finally found it. When we got to the place we had a worker come up to us and ask what we were looking for. We told him about 9 feet and skinny and he told us he had the perfect tree for us. We are easy to please and once they showed us the tree we said we'd take it. They even took $20 off the price! While they were loading it up on the car my mom and I went to get our free ornament and some hot chocolate! They had the best customer service. I wouldn't mind getting our tree there again next year! 

Getting the tree into the stand.

Our 3rd Christmas in our home

You know you have a tall tree when you have to use a step ladder 

I love taking these pictures every year

This ornament comes all the way from Australia, where A's cousin is living 

I love when we decorate the tree! 

One of my new ornaments from an ornament exchange 

Our tree lit up. So pretty! 

After looking at our tree from 2009 and 2008 I realized this was our biggest (and my favorite!) tree yet! I love the smell of the tree and the glow from the lights. Christmas is such a magical time. Walking into my living room just makes me happy. It looks so cozy and warm. 

Tis the season

The holidays are slowly quickly sneaking up on us. This is my favorite time of the year, especially Christmas time!  I went to Shutterfly to upload pictures from the weekend when I saw they had their banner showing their Christmas cards. I can't believe it is time to get those ordered since they will need to go out in only a few short weeks! 

I went to go check out the cards and, of course, I found a whole bunch that I love. So I turned to my blog to get some advice. Which one should I pick?

I like the simplicity of this one

I like the colors and snowflakes in this one

This one is a very clean layout too.

Love this one too!

Oh the choices! Which one do you like best? Be sure to head over to Shutterfly to pick out yours too!

If my fellow bloggers want 50 cards of your own- Check it out here